Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti 2016

South Africa  February 20,2016

   “Makar Sankranti” 20-02-2016 In Maharashtra on Makara Sankranti (मकर संक्रान्ति) day people exchange multicoloured halwa and til-gul laadoo. Gulachi poli/puran poli(गुळाची पोळी / पुरण पोळी) and some gram flour. which has been toasted to golden in pure ghee. are offered for lunch. While exchanging til-gulas tokens of goodwill people greet each other with the words “तिळगुळ घ्या. आणि गोड-गोड बोला” meaning ‘Accept this til-gul (sweet) and utter sweet words’. The underlying thought in the exchange of til-gul is to forget the past ill-feelings and hostilities and resolve to speak sweetly and remain friends. The importance of sesame seeds is it keeps body warm and provide good oil. which is needed as winter dried up the moisture from body. In Maharashtra. similar to Andhra Pradesh Makar Sankaranti. is normally a three-day festival. Day 1 is known as Bhogi (भोगी). Day 2 as Sankrant (संक्रांत) and Day 3 as Kinkrant/Kinkranti (किंक्रांत/किंक्रांती). The story behind this festival is Sankarasur (संकरासुर) Rakshasa was very brutal indeed. And He started torturing and killing people. To finish off Sankarasur Goddess Sankranti (संक्रांति) appeared on the earth and killed Sankarasur. To celebrate the downfall of Sankarasur. people started festival Sankranti. This is a special day for the women in Maharashtra when married women are invited for a get-together called ‘Haldi-Kunku’ and given gifts such as utensils. clothes etc. Typically. women wear black sarees or black coloured outfits on this occasion. The significance of wearing black is that Sankranti comes at the peak of the winter season and black colour retains and absorbs heat. helping keep warm. Maharashtra is also famous for kite flying on this special occasion. Kites waiting to catch the wind. held down by weights Makara Sankranti is one of the most auspicious days for the Indians and is celebrated in almost all parts of India in myriad cultural forms. with great devotion. Makara Sankranti identifies a period of enlightenment. peace. prosperity and happiness followed by a period of darkness. ignorance and viciousness with immense sorrow. The six months of northern movement of the sun is followed by six months of southern movement. Since the festival is celebrated in mid-winter. food prepared for this festival is such that it keeps the body warm and gives high energy. Ladduof tilmade with jaggery is a speciality of the festival. In the western Indian state ofMaharashtra it is called ‘Tilgud’. So please remember to join us for “Makar Sankranti” celebration on 20-Feb 2016 @ 4 PM sharp to win early bird prize. Any event related queries please contact Anand Lukade on +27 62 238 2658. If you have any questions/ feedback or need further information about MMSA visit www.mmsa.org.za or send us an email.
  Makar Sankrant 2016
  Makar Sankranti